What Tangled Webs We Weave

Chapter Twelve

After a time, Peter headed back home.  He was going to get grounded so much more now, but he didn't care.  As he reached the tower, he tried to still his still shaking hands.

Why now? He thought as he walked inside.  Why did she have to come now, when I have a group of men already tormenting me about it?

He stepped into the elevator and pressed the floor he knew his parents would be on.  He slumped against the wall and sighed, taking off his mask.

"Are you alright, sir?"  FRIDAY asked as the elevator went slowly up. "Your stress and anxiety levels have been very high recently."

"I'm fine," Peter snapped, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Stop asking, Friday."

The elevator opened and he was met by his Dad pacing around, talking to someone one the phone and his Pops sitting at the table, talking to Wanda.  Wanda looked up as Peter entered, causing Steve to look up as well.

Steve stood up.  "You enjoyed that, huh?  Swinging around town while we did all the work here?"

Peter tried to push down the lump in his throat.  "Pops, I'm sorry-"

"People are talking all about how you webbed up a citizen and boy is she using it to her advantage."

Wanda turned on the TV and the woman - Mrs. Taylor was talking to the reporter, holding the arm that had been webbed.

"He attacked me," Mrs. Taylor stated, "he shot a web that covered my entire left arm! It didn't dissolve for a long time! I'm still picking off little webs!"

Peter rolled his eyes. "Thanks, Wanda," He muttered, shooting her a look.

Steve grabbed the remote and turned off the TV. "Don't talk to her like that. Do you realize what you've done?"

"Given that woman what she deserved?" He looked up at Steve, that usual light in Peter's eyes gone.

"Now, the media are attacking you even more! Saying how 'unstable,' you are."

"I just shot a web at one person!" Peter exclaimed, tears ready to spill. "She was cussing at me, telling me how much of a murderer I am, and reminding me of terrible memories! I was just supposed to sit there and take that!?"

Tony looked like he was hurrying to get the phone call over, glancing back at Peter and Steve again and again.

"You were supposed to handle it better! Use words instead of webs." Steve seemed to soften slightly. "Look, Peter. We just want what's best for you. For you to not have the media talking about how you attacked a citizen."

Peter shook his head. "No, I get it."

"You do?" Steve asked slowly.

Peter nodded. "I get that you care about our image - no, sorry, your image, more that you care about me."

Before Steve or Tony could say anything, Peter started to storm off to his room. As he reached the hallway, he felt something stopping him. He tried to move his feet but he couldn't.

"What the heck-" He looked back and saw Wanda using her 'magic' to stop him. She pulled him back into the room.

"Really? C'mon, Wanda!" He groaned. "I thought you were cool."

Wanda mouthed a sorry in response and stood up, leaving the room.

"Look, I'm sorry, I'll call you back," Peter heard Tony said quickly into the phone.

Tony finally got off his call and walked back over to them.  "Peter, that couldn't be more wrong.  We care about you so much.  More than we could ever care about publicity."